Expression construct and process for enhancing the carbon, nitrogen, biomass and yield of plants

ABSTRACT

The assimilated C and N largely influence plant growth and crop yields. Previous attempts to alter the carbon and nitrogen status of the plants attempted with one or two genes The present invention involves simultaneous co-overexpression of three genes wherein one gene (PEPCase) efficiently capture CO2 whereas the other two encode for enzymes (Asp AT and GS) involved in nitrogen assimilation. The combined effect is the enhancement of carbon and nitrogen status of the plant and the productivity.

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an expression construct for enhancing the carbon (C), nitrogen (N), biomass and yield of plants.

Further, the present invention provides the process for enhancement of C and N levels and subsequent improvement in the biomass and yield of plant by using the aforesaid expression construct which utilizes co-overexpression of genes from enzymes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (hereinafter, referred as “PEPCase”), glutamine synthetase (hereinafter, referred as “GS”) and aspartate aminotransferase (hereinafter, referred as “AspAT”). In particular, the present invention is directed to transgenic plants where nucleic acid sequences encoding the said proteins are expressed in plant cells. More particularly, the present invention relates to the transformation of a plant with genetic construct involving co-overexpression of three genes wherein one gene PEPCase encodes enzyme responsible to capture CO₂ and the other two encode for enzymes (AspAT and GS) involved in N assimilation wherein the N assimilation requires C skeleton which is met by PEPCase, under the control of constitutive promoter comprising plant Arabidopsis thaliana transformed with AspAT+GS+PEPCase gene and expression of this gene in plants, thereby enhancing the status of C and N, biomass and yield of plant.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

The present invention relates to a transformed plant with co-overexpression of three genes, viz.

AspAT, GS and PEPCase, leading to enhanced C, N content, biomass, and yield component. PEPCase (EC. 4.1.1.31) is a ubiquitous enzyme in plants that catalyses the β-carboxylation of phosphoenolpyruvate (hereinafter, referred as “PEP”) in the presence of HCO₃ ⁻ and Mg₂ ⁺ to yield oxaloacetate (hereinafter, referred as “OAA”) and inorganic phosphate (hereinafter, referred as “Pi”), and it primarily has an anaplerotic function of replenishing the tricarboxylic acid cycle with intermediates. In higher plants, there are several isoforms of PEPCase of different organ specificities and they are involved in a variety of functions including stomata opening, fruit ripening and seed maturation. The leaves of C4 and CAM plants contain high levels of PEPCase, which catalyze the initial CO₂ fixation of photosynthesis. The much lower levels of PEPCase seen in the leaves of C3 plants contribute to an anaplerotic function and play a role in regulation of the cellular pH.

GS (EC 6.3.1.2) catalyses the ATP-dependent condensation of ammonia (hereinafter, referred as “NH₃”) with glutamate (hereinafter, referred as “Glu”) to produce glutamine (hereinafter, referred as “Gln”). Subsequently, glutamate synthase (GOGAT) transfers the amide group of Gln to α-ketoglutarate producing two molecules of Glu. Both Gln and Glu are the primary source of organic N for proteins, nucleic acid and chlorophyll.

AspAT (EC 2.6.1.1) catalyzes the reversible transfer of the amino group of asparate (hereinafter, referred as “Asp”) to α-ketoglutarate to form OAA and Glu. In plants, AspAT has been proposed to play several metabolic roles including: recycling of C skeletons during NH₃ ⁺ assimilation in roots, providing amide precursors for biosynthesis of major nitrogen transport molecules such as asparagines (hereinafter, referred as “Asn”) and ureides, recruiting Asn nitrogen during seed filling and participating in intracellular C shuttles in C4 plants providing precursors for the biosynthesis of the Asp family of amino acids.

Plant performance in terms of biomass production, yield or harvest index depends upon number of internal and environmental factors. Among all these factors, plant C and N level is one of the important factors governing plant productivity. The emerging details of C and N assimilation suggest that a regulatory system coordinates the uptake and distribution of these nutrients in response to both metabolic and environmental cues. Plants sense changes in their C and N status and relay this information to the nucleus where changes in gene expression are brought about. Since plant growth and crop yield are largely influenced by the assimilated C and N, many attempts have been made in the past to engineer efficient C and N assimilation. However, there is no report yet which show significant improvement in the status of C, N, biomass and yield in plants.

Table 1 illustrates the status of information available on the various strategies to improve C and/or N and biomass in different plants.

TABLE 1 Transformation Functions System adopted Results Reference NAD kinase2 Arabidopsis NADK2 NADK2 overexpressors Takahashi, H., (NADK2) overexpressor and were characterized by Takahara, K., Catalyzes the nadk2 mutant were increase in calvin cycle Hashida, S., synthesis of studied to investigate intermediates and Hirabayashi, T., NADP from NAD the impact of altering amino acid like Glu Fujimori, T., in chloroplasts NADP level on plant and Gln. However, Yamada, M. K., metabolism. there is no clear Yamaya, T., evidence on role of Yanagisawa, S. NADK2 influencing C and Uchimiy, H. and N metabolism. 2009. Plant Physiol. 151: 100- 113. Dof 1 Maize Dof1 cDNA was Dof1 overexpression Yanagisawa, S., Dof1 is a overexpressed in in Arabidopsis has led Akiyama, A., transcription Arabidopsis plants to co-operative Kisaka, H., activator for under derivative of modification of plant C Uchimiya, H. and multiple gene the 35S promoter and N content, with Miwa, T. 2004. expressions designated as improved growth Proc. Natl. Acad. associated with 35SC4PPDK. under low N Sci. USA. 101: the organic acid conditions. However, 7833-7838 metabolism, effect of CN including alteration on plant PEPCase. biomass or yield was not discussed. GS i.) A soybean cytosolic Over expression of Vincent, R., GS catalyses the GS gene (GS15) fused cytosolic GS Fraisier, V., ATP- dependent with the constitutive accelerated plant Chaillou, S., condensation of CaMV 35S promoter in development, leading Limami, M. A., NH₃ with (Glu) to order to direct its over- to early senescence Deleens, E., produce (Gln). expression in Lotus and premature Phillipson, B., corniculatus L. plants. flowering when grown Douat, C., NH₄ ⁺ rich medium. Boutin, J.-P. and Limitation of C Hirel, B. skeleton and energy 1997. Planta. for enhanced NH₄ ⁺ 201: 424-433. assimilation were anticipated. ii.) A pea cytosolic GS Overexpression of Oliveira, I.., gene was cytosolic GS in relation Brears, T., overexpressed in to N, light and Knight, T., Clark, tobacco plants photorespiration A. and Coruzzi, suggested an G. 2002, Plant alternative route to Physiol. chloroplastic GS for 129: 1170-1180 assimilation of photorespiratory ammonium. iii.) Full-length cDNAs An increased metabolic Cai, H., Zhou, Y., encoding rice cytosolic level in GS- Xiao, J., Li, X., GS genes (OsGS1;1 overexpressed plants Zhang, Q. and and OsGS1;2) along was obtained, which Lian, X. 2009, with E. coli GS gene showed higher total GS Plant Cell Rep. (glnA) were activities and soluble 28: 527-537 overexpressed in the protein concentrations rice plant under in leaves and higher constitutive CaMV 35S total amino acids and promoter. total N content in the whole plant. However, decrease in both grain yield production and total amino acids were observed in seeds of GS-overexpressed plants compared with wild-type plants. iv) cDNA encoding alfa Transgenic plants Fuentes, S., Allen, alfa cytosolic GS over grew better under N D., Ortiz-Lopez, A. expressed in tobacco starvation by and Hernandez, plants maintaining G. 2001. J. Exp. photosynthesis at rate Bot. 52: 1071- comparable to those 1081. of plants under high N, while photosynthesis in control plants was inhibited by 40-50%. These results further reflect the need for cooperative modification of CN metabolism for developing plants with better agronomic traits. PEPCase i) The intact maize Transgenic plants Agarie, S., Miura, PEPCase catalyses gene encoding C4- exhibited higher A., Sumikura, R., the β- specific PEPCase used PEPCase activity with Tsukamoto, S., carboxylation of for transformation of reduced O₂ inhibition Nose, A., Arima, S., PEP in the rice plants of photosynthesis. It Matsuoka, M. and presence of HCO₃ ⁻ was found that the Tokutomi, M. M. and Mg₂ ⁺ to yield reduced O₂ inhibition 2002. Plant Sci. OAA and Pi. photosynthesis was 162: 257-265. primarily due to reduction of Pi rather than increase in the partial direct fixation of atmospheric CO₂ via the enhanced maize PEPCase. However, no report on biomass accumulation or yield as a consequence of PEPCase overexpression was reported. ii) Maize PEPCase Higher levels of maize Hudspeth, introduced in to PEPCase transcript of R. L., Grula, tobacco plants under the correct size were J. W., Dai, Z., the control maize obtained using tobacco Edwards, G. E. and PEPCase and tobacco (chlorophyll a/b Ku, M. S. B. 1992. chlorophyll a/b binding protein gene Plant Physiol. 98: binding protein gene promoter. With two 458-464 promoter. fold incerase in PEPCase activities in leaf, transgenic plants had significantly elevated levels of titratable acidity and malic acid. However, these biochemical differences did not produce any significant physiological changes with respect to photosynthetic rate or CO₂ compensation point. AspAT i) Panicum miliaceum mAspAT- or cAspAT- Sentoku, N., AspAT L. mitochondrial and transformed plants Taniguchi, M., catalyzes cytosolic AspAT had about threefold or Sugiyama, T., the reversible (mAspAT and cAspAT, 3.5-fold higher AspAT Ishimaru, K., transfer of the respectively) genes activity in Ohsugi, R., amino group of were expressed in the leaf than non- Takaiwa, F. and (Asp) to a- tobacco plants under transformed plants, Toki, S. 2000. ketoglutarate to CaMV 35S promoter. respectively. Plant Cell Rep. form OAA and Leaves of both 19: 598-603. Glu transformed plants had increased levels of PEPCase and transformed plants with cAspAT also had increased levels of mAspAT in the leaf. These results further suggested interaction between C and N metabolism. ii) Three AspAT genes Compared with Zhou. Y., Cai, H., from rice (OsAAT3) control Xiao, J. and one AspAT gene plants, the Li, X., Zhang, Q. from E. coli (EcAAT) transformants showed and Lian, X. 2009. were over expressed significantly increased Theor Appl under CaMV 35S leaf AspAT activity and Genet. 118: 1381- promoter in rice greater seed amino 1390 plants. acid and protein contents. However, influence of CN level on biomass or yield was not discussed.

Higher activity of PEPCase shall facilate CO₂ capturing and makes the carbon backbone available for routing of nitrogen in to organic form through joint activity of AspAT and GS. As a result, the inventors have found that object of the present invention can be attained by concomitant increase in expression of genes encoding AspAT, GS and PEPCase to establish the present invention.

Below is given a state of the art knowledge in relation to the present invention and the attempts previously made to enhance either carbon and/or nitrogen levels in the plant. Reference may be made to article by Hudspeth, R. L., Grula, J. W., Dai, Z., Edwards, G. E. and Ku, M. S. B., entitled “Expression of miaze phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase in transgenic tobacoo” (1992, Plant Physiology, 98: 458-464), wherein PEPCase from maize was expressed under a tobacco (Nicotiana plumbaginifolia) chlorophyll a/b binding protein gene promoter in tobacco plants. Up to two fold higher activity of PEPCase was observed in the transgenic leaves as compared to non-transformants with elevated levels of titratable acidity and malic acid. However, these biochemical differences did not produce any significant physiological changes with respect to photosynthetic rate or CO₂ compensation point.

Reference may be made to article by Lebouteiller, B., Dupont, A. G., Pierre, J. N., Bleton, J., Tchapla, A., Maucourt, M. and Moing, A., Rolin, D., and Vidal, J. entitled “Physiological impacts of modulating phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase levels in leaves and seeds of Arabidopsis thaliana” (2007, Plant Science, 172:256-272,), wherein the PEPCase of sorghum was expressed under CaMV 35S promoter in Arabidopsis plant. The leaves of the primary transformants showed up to ten-fold increase in PEPCase activity and up to 30% increase in the dry weight and total protein content of seeds. However, the transformants (primary and progeny) did not show any improved growth phenotype or modification in seed production per plant

Reference may be made to yet another article by Chen, L. M., Li, K. Z. Miwa, T. and Izui, K. entitled “Overexpression of a cyanobacterial phosphoenol pyruvate carboxylase with diminished sensitivity to feedback inhibition in Arabidopsis changes amino acid metabolism” (2004, Planta, 219: 440-419.), wherein the cyanobacterial Synechococcus vulcanus phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (SvPEPCase) with diminished sensitivity to feed back inhibition, was over expressed under the control of CaMV 35S promoter in Arabidopsis plant. One third of the T₁ transformants showed severe phenotypes as bleached leaves and were infertile when grown on soil. However, no such phenotype was observed with Arabidopsis transformed with maize PEPCase (ZmPEPC) for C₄ photosynthesis, which is normally sensitive to a feedback inhibitor, L-malate. The growth inhibition of SvPEPC transformed T₂ plants was presumed to be primarily due to a decreased availability of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), one of the precursors for the shikimate pathway for the synthesis of aromatic amino acids and phenylpropanoids.

Reference may be made to yet another article by Fukayama, H., Hatch, M. D., Tamai, T., Tsuchida, H., Sudoh, S., Furbank, R. T. and Miyao, M., entitled “Activity regulation and physiological impacts of maize C (4)-specific phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase overproduced in transgenic rice plants” (2003, Photosynthesis Research, 77: 227-239), wherein the intact maize PEPCase gene was overexpressed in the leaves of rice plants. Introduced PEPCase in transgenic rice leaves underwent activity regulation through protein phosphorylation in manner similar to endogenous rice PEPCase but contrary to that occurring in maize leaves, being downregulated in the light and upregulated in the dark. Compared with untransformed rice, the level of PEP was slightly lower and the product (OAA) was slightly higher in transgenic rice, suggesting that maize PEPCase was functioning even though it remained dephosphorylated and less active in the light. ¹⁴CO₂ labeling experiments indicated that maize PEPCase did not contribute significantly to the photosynthetic CO₂ fixation of transgenic rice plants. Rather, it slightly lowered the CO₂ assimilation rate. This effect was ascribable to the stimulation of respiration in the light, which was more marked at lower O2 concentrations. It was concluded that overproduction of PEPCase does not directly affect photosynthesis significantly but it suppresses photosynthesis indirectly by stimulating respiration in the light.

Reference may be made to yet another article by Vincent, R., Fraisier, V., Chaillou, S., Limami, M. A., Deleens, E., Phillipson, B., Douat, C., Boutin, J. P. and Hirel, B., entitled “Overexpression of a soybean gene encoding cytosolic glutamine synthetase in shoots of transgenic Lotus corniculatus L. plants triggers changes in ammonium assimilation and plant development” (1997, Planta. 201:424-433), wherein a soyabean cytosolic GS gene GS15 was fused with CaMV 35S promoter to achieve constitutive expression in the lotus corniculatus L. plants. On growing the transgenic plants under different N regimes an increase in free amino acids and ammonium was observed accompanied by a decrease in soluble carbohydrates in the transgenic plants cultivated with 12 mM NH⁴⁺ in comparison to the wild type grown under the same conditions. Labelling experiments revealed that both ammonium uptake in the roots and the subsequent translocation of amino acids to the shoots was lower in plants over expressing GS. However the early floral development in the transformed plants suggested the role of GS in the early senescence and premature flowering when plants were grown on an ammonium-rich medium. Limitation of C skeleton and energy for enhanced NH₄ ⁺ assimilation were anticipated.

Reference may be made to yet another article by Fuentes, S. I., Allen, D. J., Ortiz-Lopez, A. and Hernandez, G., entitled “Overexpression of cytosolic glutamine synthetase increases photosynthesis and growth at low nitrogen conditions” (2001, Journal of Experimental Botany, 52:1071-1081), wherein the alfa alfa GS driven by constitutive CaMV 35S promoter introduced into tobacco plants. Leaf GS activity in the transgenic plants increased up to six times of untrasformed plants. Under N starvation GS transgenic grew better by maintenance of photosynthesis at rates indistinguishable from plants under high N, while photosynthesis in the control plants was inhibited by 40-50% by N deprivation. However, under optimum N fertilization conditions, no effect of GS overexpression on photosynthesis or growth was observed.

Reference may be made to yet another article by Oliveira, I., Brears, T., Knight, T., Clark, A. and Coruzzi, G., entitled “Overexpression of cytosolic glutamine synthetase. Relation to nitrogen, light, and photorespiration” (2002, Plant Physiology, 129: 1170-1180), wherein the overexpression of pea cytosolic GS was studied in relation to nitrogen, light and photorespiration. Tobacco plants, which ectopically overexpress cytosolic GS1 in leaves, display a light-dependent improved growth phenotype under N-limiting and N-non-limiting conditions as evident by increase in fresh weight, dry weight, and leaf soluble protein. The cytosolic GS1 transgenic plants also exhibit an increase in the CO₂ photorespiratory burst and an increase in levels of photorespiratory intermediates, suggesting changes in photorespiration. However, the effect of stimulation of photorespiration by GS overexression on plant productivity was not discussed.

Reference may be made to yet another article by Cai, H., Zhou, Y., Xiao, J., Li, X., Zhang, Q. and Lian, X., entitled “Overexpressed glutamine synthetase gene modifies nitrogen metabolism and abiotic stress response in rice” (2009, Plant Cell Reports. 28: 527-537), wherein the full-length cDNAs encoding rice (Oryza sativa) cytosolic GS genes (OsGS1;1 and OsGS1;2) along with E. coli GS gene (glnA) were overexpressed in the rice plant under constitutive CaMV 35S promoter. An increased metabolic level in GS-overexpressed plants was obtained, which showed higher total GS activities and soluble protein concentrations in leaves and higher total amino acids and total N content in the whole plant. However, decrease in both grain yield production and total amino acids were observed in seeds of GS-overexpressed plants compared with wild-type plants.

Reference may be made to yet another article by Sentoku, N., Taniguchi, M., Sugiyama, T., Ishimaru, K., Ohsugi, R., Takaiwa, F. and Toki, S., entitled “Analysis of the transgenic tobacco plants expressing Panicum miliaceum aspartate aminotransferase genes” (2000, Plant Cell Reports, 19: 598-603), wherein the effects of the overexpression of Panicum mitochondrial and cytoplasmic AspAT (mAspAT and cAspAT respectively) under the control of CaMV 35S promoter were evaluated on transgenic tobacco plants. The mAspAT- or cAspAT-transformed plants had about threefold or 3.5-fold higher AspAT activity in the leaf than non-transformed plants, respectively. Interestingly, the leaves of both transformed plants had increased levels of PEPCase and transformed plants with cAspAT also had increased levels of mAspAT in the leaf. These results suggest that the increased expression of Panicum cAspAT in transgenic tobacco enhances the expression of its endogenous mAspAT and PEPCase, and the increased expression of Panicum mAspAT enhances the expression of its endogenous PEPCase. However, there is no account on effect of AspAT overexpression on plant growth and productivity.

Reference may be made to yet another article by Zhou, Y., Cai, H., Xiao, J., Li, X., Zhang, Q. and Lian, X., entitled “Over-expression of aspartate aminotransferase genes in rice resulted in altered nitrogen metabolism and increased amino acid content in seeds” (2009, Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 118:1381-1390), wherein three AspAT genes from rice (OsAAT1-3) encoding chloroplastic, cytoplasmic, and mitochondrial AspAT isoenzymes, respectively and one AspAT gene from E. coli (EcAAT) were overexpressed in rice plant under the control of CaMV 35S promoter. The OsAAT1, OsAAT2, and EcAAT transformants showed significantly increased leaf AspAT activity and greater seed amino acid and protein contents. However no significant changes were found in leaf AspAT activity, seed amino acid content or protein content in OsAAT3 over-expressed plants.

Reference may be made to yet another article by Murooka, Y., Mori, Y. and Hayashi, M., entitled “Variation of the amino acid content of Arabidopsis seeds by expressing soyabean aspartate aminotransferase gene” (2009, Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering, 94: 225-230), wherein AspAT5 encoding the chloroplast AspAT from Soyabean was linked to CaMV 35S promoter for achieving its overexpression in the Arabidopsis plant. Expression of AspAT5 in transformants caused 3-, 4-, 23-, and 50-fold increases in the contents of free glycine, alanine, asparagine, and Glu, respectively, in the T₃ seeds. However, a decrease in the contents of valine, tyrosine, isoleucine, leucine, and phenylalanine by several folds was also observed. Further, there is no report on effect of overexpression of AspAt on plant growth and productivity.

Reference may be made to yet another article by Yanagisawa, S., Akiyama, A., Kawaka, H., Uchimiya, H. and Miwa, T. entitled “Metabolic engineering with Dof1 transcription factor in plants: Improved nitrogen assimilation and growth under low-nitrogen conditions” (2004, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA), 101:7833-7838), wherein over-expression of Dof1 transcription factor from maize improves N assimilation in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. Dof1 expressing plants showed up-regulation of genes encoding enzymes for C skeleton production, a marked increase of amino acid contents, and a reduction of the glucose level. The results suggest cooperative modification of C and N metabolisms on the basis of their intimate link. Elementary analysis revealed that the N content increased in the Dof1 transgenic plants (≈30%), indicating promotion of net N assimilation. However, effect of C N alteration on plant biomass or yield was not discussed.

Reference may be made to still another article by Takahashi, H., Takahara, K., Hashida, S., Hirabayashi, T., Fujimori, T., Kawai-Yamada, M., Yamaya, T., Yanagisawa, S, and Hirofumi Uchimiya, H., entitled “Pleiotropic Modulation of carbon and nitrogen metabolism in Arabidopsis plants overexpressing the NAD kinase2 gene” by (2009, Plant Physiology. 151:100-113), wherein transgenic Arabidopsis plants with over expression of NAD kinase2 (NADK2) along with NADK2 mutants were raised to investigate the impacts of altering NADP level on plant metabolism. Metabolite profiling revealed that NADP(H) concentrations were proportional to NADK activity in NADK2 overexpressors and in the NADK2 mutant. Several metabolites associated with the calvin cycle were also higher in the overexpressors, accompanied by an increase in overall Rubisco activity. Furthermore, enhanced NADP(H) production due to NADK2 overexpression increased N assimilation. Gln and Glu concentrations, as well as some other amino acids, were higher in the overexpressors. However, there is no clear evidence on role of NADK2 influencing C and N metabolism.

The improvement in the C and N status of plants is a major concern to improve productivity. However, there is no report yet which show enhancement of C and N levels and subsequent improvement in the biomass and yield of plant.

Further, no attempt has been made to co-over express three genes, viz. AspAT, GS and PEPCase, leading to enhanced status of C and N, biomass, and yield.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to provide an expression construct for enhancing the carbon, nitrogen, biomass and yield of plants which obviates the drawbacks of the hitherto known prior art as detailed above.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an expression construct for co-overexpression of AspAT (SEQ ID NO: 1), GS (SEQ ID NO: 2). and PEPcase (SEQ ID NO: 3) wherein PEPCase efficiently captures CO₂ whereas the other two genes encoding for enzymes (AspAT and GS) have role in N assimilation, using the carbon backbone provided by PEPCase mediated reaction resulting in the enhancement of C and N status with improved biomass and yield of plants.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to raise transgenic plant exhibiting co-overexpression of genes AspAT, GS and PEPCase.

Still another objective of the present invention is to evaluate the expression of AspAT, GS and PEPCase genes in transgenic plants.

Still another objective of the present invention is to evaluate the transgenic plants for status of C and N, biomass and yield compared to wild plants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides an expression construct represented by SEQ ID NO. 7 for co-expression of the genes AspAT, GS and PEPCase comprising nucleotide sequences represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2 and SEQ ID NO: 3, wherein SEQ ID NO: 1 represents AspAT genes, SEQ ID NO: 2 represents GS genes and SEQ ID NO: 3 represents PEPCase genes linked to at least one control sequence and a transcription terminator sequence, useful for enhancing the carbon, nitrogen, biomass and yield of plants as compared to wild type or untransformed plant.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the control sequence is preferably represented by SEQ ID NO: 4.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the transcription terminator sequence is represented by SEQ ID NO: 5.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides an expression construct prepared from the cytosolic AspATgene from soyabean, cytosolic GS gene from tobacoo and cytosolic PEPCase gene from maize.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the polynucleotide having SEQ ID No: 7 is overexpressed in plants.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the control sequence used is a constitutive promoter selected from the group consisting of CaMV 35S promoter, rubisco promoter, ubiquitin promoter, actin promoter.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the terminator used is preferably selected from the group consisting of Nos terminator and CaMV 3′ UTR.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, a process for preparing the expression construct wherein the process comprising the steps of:

-   -   i) amplifying cDNA sequences encoding genes represented by SEQ         ID NO: 1 using primers represented by SEQ ID NO: 10 and SEQ ID         NO: 11, SEQ ID NO: 2 using primers represented by SEQ ID NO: 8         and SEQ ID NO: 9 and SEQ ID NO: 3 using primers represented by         SEQ ID NO: 12 and SEQ ID NO: 13;     -   ii) cloning independently the amplified product of SEQ ID NO: 1,         2 and 3 as obtained in step (i) into pGEM®-T Easy Vector         (cloning vector, Promega, USA);     -   iii) digesting independently the plasmid from the positive         clones as obtained in step (ii) along with pCAMBIA 1302 and         further ligating the digested gene products and pCAMBIA 1302 and         transforming into E. coli DH5 α cells;     -   iv) sequencing the plasmid from the positive colonies obtained         in step (iii) confirming the inframe cloning of         AspAT::pCAMBIA1302; GS::pCAMBIA1302 and PEPCase::pCAMBIA 1302.     -   v) amplifying the products obtained in step (iv) by using         primers represented by SEQ ID NO: 10 and SEQ ID NO: 16; SEQ ID         NO: 14 and SEQ ID NO: 15 and SEQ ID NO: 17 and SEQ ID NO: 18.     -   vi) cloning, digesting, ligating and sequencing was again         performed independently for the amplified GS coding sequence to         form GS+pCAMBIA1302 which was further digested and ligated with         the plasmids of positive clones of amplified AspAT coding         sequence to form AspAT+GS+pCAMBIA1302 expression cassette;     -   vii) ligating the digested plasmids of positive clones of         amplified PEPCase coding sequence with the destination         pCAMBIA1302 which was previously cloned with the AspAT+GS+         expression cassette as obtained in step (vi) such that the genes         AspA, GS and PEPCase were controlled by independent CaMV 35S         promoter and Nos transcriptional terminator to form single plant         expression construct AspAT+GS+PEPCase represented by SEQ ID NO:         7.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, a process for enhancing the carbon, nitrogen, biomass and yield of plants using the expression construct, wherein the said process comprising the steps of:

-   -   a) transforming Agrobacterium tumefacians strain with the         expression construct as claimed in claim 1;     -   b) transforming the explants with the recombinant Agrobacterium         tumefacians strain as obtained in step (a);     -   c) selecting the transformed explants of step (b) to obtain the         desired transformed plants having enhanced level of carbon,         nitrogen, biomass and yield of plants as compared to wild type         plant.     -   In still another embodiment of the present invention, a process         wherein the transformed plants display an increase of about         45-50% in PEPCase activity, at least 55% in GS activity and         55-60% in AspAT activity as compared to wild type, resulting in         increase in carbon and nitrogen levels in the plant.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the Agrobacterium strain provided is selected from a group consisting of GV3101 with ATCC number Agrobacterium tumefaciens (GV3101 (pMP90RK) (C58 derivative) ATCC® Number: 33970 Reference: Hayashi H, Czaja I, Lubenow H, Schell J, Walden R. 1992.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the transformed plants are selected from the group consisting of grain crops, pulses, vegetable crops, oilseed crop and ornamentals.

In yet another embodiment, the transformed plants are selected from the group consisting of arabidopsis, tomato, potato, tobacco, maize, wheat, rice, cotton, mustard, pigeon pea, cowpea, pea, sugarcane, soya bean and sorghum.

In still another embodiment, the transformed plants as compared to wild type display increased yield and/or biomass, indicated by increased seed yield and/or pod yield.

In still another embodiment, the transformed plants display enhanced growth characteristics characterized by increased shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root fresh and dry weight as compared to wild type or untransformed plant.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the transformed plant shows enhanced levels of carbon, nitrogen, biomass and yield as compared to wild plants.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the expression and functionality of over expressed enzymes in transgenic plants is evaluated.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the selectable marker used is hpt gene (hygromycin phosphotransferase) represented by SEQ ID NO: 6 for hygromycin resistance controlled by duplicated CaMV 35S promoter and terminated by CaMV 3′UTR (polyA signal).

In another embodiment of the present invention, biochemical assays and RT-PCR were performed to evaluate the expression of introduced genes and the functionality of over expressed enzymes in transgenic plants.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the transgenic plants were investigated for different growth and yield parameters and compared to wild plants cultivated under the same conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 represents a schematic view of T-DNA region of plant transformation vector pCAMBIA1302 for co-overexpression of AspAT, GS and PEPCase (a) and amplification of coding sequences for AspAT, GS and PEPCase from respective plant sources (b) as discussed in Examples 1 to 4.

FIG. 2 represents DNA analysis (a) and RNA analysis (b) of WT, L1 and L2, where WT=wild; L1 and L2=two different transgenic lines co-overexpressing AspAT, GS and PEPCase.

FIG. 3 represents shoot fresh weight (FW) (a), shoot dry weight (DW) (b), root fresh weight (c) and root dry weight (d) of WT and AspAT+GS+PEPCase transgenic plants at 60 days of sowing. Data is mean of five separate biological replicates with standard deviation marked on each bar.

FIG. 4 represents AspAT activity (a) GS activity (b) and PEPCase activity (d) of WT, L1 and L2 at 42 days of sowing. Data is mean of three separate biological replicates with standard deviation marked on each bar.

FIG. 5 represents Analyses of N (a) and C (b) content from different plant parts of WT, L1 and L2 lines at 65 days of sowing. Data is mean of three separate biological replicates with standard deviation marked on each bar.

FIG. 6 represents a representative WT and AspAT+GS+PEPCase transgenic plants at 75 days of sowing.

FIG. 7 represents pod number (a) and seed yield (b) in WT, L1 and L2 at 75 days of sowing. Data is mean of five separate biological replicated with standard deviation marked on each bar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to genetic engineering of C and N metabolism in plants. In particular, the present invention relates to an expression construct for co-overexpression of AspAT, GS and PEPCase for concomitant alteration in the enzymes involved in C and N assimilation or utilization and/or their expression in order to engineer plants with increased C and N levels thereby promoting better growth and biomass production and enhanced yield.

The term “vector” refers to a construct made up of nucleic acids wherein gene from a foreign source can be ligated and isolated when needed. The construct is usually a plasmid (i.e. extra chromosomal self replicating nucleic acid) and is propagated, for example bacterial cell of E. coli. The vector in the present invention was used to transfer the gene from one source to another.

The term “gene” refers to the sequence of nucleic acids that can produce a polypeptide chain.

The term “gene expression” refers to the level/amount of RNA (i.e. sequence of ribonucleic acid) of choice transcribed (i.e. the process of synthesis of RNA by DNA) by DNA (i.e. sequence of deoxyribonucleic acid). When the gene was transcribed in higher amounts as compared to the control, it was referred to as “over-expression” of gene.

The term “selectable marker” refers to a gene, which allows a cell to survive in the presence of an otherwise toxic antibiotic

The term “transgenic plant” refers to genetically transformed plants with stable integration of introduced gene in to its genome The term “promoter” refers to the specific DNA sequence, usually located upstream (5′) to the DNA sequence involved in transcription, wherein the enzyme RNA polymerase binds for the process of transcription. “Constitutive promoters” direct expression of the gene in all tissues and during all periods regardless of the surrounding environment and development stage of the organism.

The term ‘expression cassettes” refers to vector comprising of (a) a constitutive promoter; (b) all the three genes cloned 3′ to the constitutive promoter, (c) a polyadenylation signal located 3′ to the coding sequence.

and capable of passing genetic information on to successive generations.

‘Wild-type” plants are untransformed plants.

The term “T₀” refers to the first set of genetically transformed plants that can be identified and selected upon growth in presence of a selection agent antibiotic, for which the transgenic plant contains the corresponding resistance gene. The term “T₁” refers to the generation of plants obtained after self-fertilization of the flowers of T₀ generation plants, previously selected as being transgenic. “T₂” plants are generated from T₁ plants, and so on. The present invention will be illustrated in greater details by the following examples.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are given by way of illustration of the present invention and therefore should not be construed to limit the scope of the present invention.

Sequences of the primers used in the present invention are listed as follows:

  Se- Name quen-  of the ce ID sequence Sequence Purpose No. AspAT  atggcttctc acgacagcat ctccgcttct ccaacctccg cttctgattc cgtcttcaat 60 Represents  1 cDNA cacctcgttc gtgctcccga agatcctatc ctcggggtaa ctgtcgctta taacaaagat 120 nucleotide sequence ccaagtccag ttaagctcaa cttgggagtt ggtgcttacc gaactgagga aggaaaacct 180 sequences cttgttttga atgtagtgag gcgagttgaa cagcaactca taaatgacgt gtcacgcaac 240 of AspAT  aaggaatata ttccgatcgt tgggcttgct gattttaata aattgagtgc taagcttatt 300 genes tttggggctg acagccctgc tattcaagac aacagggtta ccactgttca atgcttgtct 360 for ggaactggtt ctttaagagt tgggggtgaa tttttggcta aacactatca ccaacggact 420 making atatacttgc caacaccaac ttggggcaat cacccgaagg ttttcaactt agcaggcttg 480 an tctgtcaaaa cataccgcta ctatgctcca gcaacacgag gacttgactt tcaaggactt 540 expression ctggaagacc ttggttctgc tccatctgga tctattgttt tgctacatgc atgcgcacat 600 aaccccactg gtgtggatcc aacccttgag caatgggagc agattaggca gctaataaga 660 tcaaaagctt tgttaccttt ctttgacagt gcttatcagg gttttgctag tggaagtcta 720 gatgcagatg cccaacctgt tcgtttgttt gttgctgatg gaggcgaatt gctggtagca 780 caaagctatg caaagaatct gggtctttat ggggaacgtg ttggcgcctt aagcattgtc 840 tgcaagtcag ctgatgttgc aagcagggtt gagagccagc tgaagctagt gattaggccc 900 atgtactcaa gtcctcccat tcatggtgca tccattgtgg ctgccattct caaggaccgg 960 aatttgttca atgactggac tattgagttg aaggcaatgg ctgatcgcat catcagtatg 1020 cgccaagaac ttttcgatgc tttatgttcc agaggcacac ctggcgattg gagtcacatt 1080 atcaaacaga ttggaatgtt tactttcact ggattgaatg cggaacaagt ttccttcatg 1140 actaaagagt tccatatata catgacatct gatgggagga ttagcatggc tggtctgagt 1200 tccaaaactg tcccacttct ggcggatgcg atacatgcag ctgtaacccg agttgtctaa 1260 GS  atggctcatc tttcagatct cgttaatctc aatctctctg actccactca gaaaattatt 60 Represents  2 cDNA gctgaataca tatggattgg tggatcagga atggacgtca ggagcaaagc cagaacactt 120 nucleotide sequence tctggacctg ttgatgatcc ttcaaagctt cccaaatgga attatgatgg ttctagcaca 180 sequences ggacaagctc ctggagaaga cagtgaagag atcctatatc ctcaagcaat tttcaaggat 240 of GS  ccattcagaa ggggcaacaa tatcttggtc atttgtgatt gttacacccc agctggtgaa 300 genes cccattccaa caaacaaaag gcacagtgct gccaagattt tcagccaccc tgatgttgtt 360 for   gttgaggaac cctggtatgg tcttgagcaa gaatacacct tgttgcaaaa agatatcaat 420 making tggcctcttg gatggcctct tggtggtttt cctggaccac agggaccata ctattgcgga 480 an attggagctg gaaaggtctt tggacgcgat atcgttgact ctcattataa ggcatgtctc 540 expression tatgctggga ttaacatcag tggtatcaat ggagaagtga tgcccggaca gtgggaattt 600 construct caagttggac cttcagttgg catttcagca gctgatgaat tgtgggcagc tcgttacatt 660 cttgagagga ttactgagat tgctggagtt gtggtctcat ttgaccccaa acctattccg 720 ggtgactgga atggtgctgg agctcacaca aactacagca caaagtctat gaggaatgaa 780 ggaggctatg aagtcattaa gaaggcaatt gagaaccttg gactgaggca caaggagcat 840 attgcagcat atggtgaagg caacgagcgt cgtctcactg gaagacacga aacagctgac 900 atcaacacat tcaaatgggg agttgcgaac cgtggtgcat ctattcgtgt gggaagagac 960 acggagagag aagggaaggg atacttcgag gataggaggc ctgcttcgaa tatggatcca 1020 ttcgtcgtga cttccatgat tgctgagacc actatcctat ccgagccttg a 1071 PEPCase ctcgtcgacc gcttcctcaa catcctccag gacctccacg ggcccagcct tcgcgaattt 180 Represents  3 cDNA gtccaggagt gctacgaggt ctcagccgac tacgagggca aaggagacac gacgaagctg 240 nucleotide sequence ggcgagctcg gcgccaagct cacggggctg gcccccgccg acgccatcct cgtggcgagc 300 sequences tccatcctgc acatgctcaa cctcgccaac ctggccgagg aggtgcagat cgcgcaccgc 360 of   cgccgcaaca gcaagctcaa gaaaggtggg ttcgccgacg agggctccgc caccaccgag 420 PEPCase tccgacatcg aggagacgct caagcgcctc gtgtccgagg tcggcaagtc ccccgaggag 480 genes gtgttcgagg cgctcaagaa ccagaccgtc gacctcgtct tcaccgcgca tcctacgcag 540 for  tccgcccgcc gctcgctcct gcaaaaaaat gccaggatcc gaaattgtct gacccagctg 600 making aatgccaagg acatcactga cgacgacaag caggagctcg atgaggctct gcagagagag 660 an  atccaagcag ccttcagaac cgatgaaatc aggagggcac aacccacccc gcaggccgaa 720 expression atgcgctatg ggatgagcta catccatgag actgtatgga agggtgtgcc taagttcttg 780 construct cgccgtgtgg atacagccct gaagaatatc ggcatcaatg agcgccttcc ctacaatgtt 840 tctctcattc ggttctcttc ttggatgggt ggtgaccgcg atggaaatcc aagagttacc 900 ccggaggtga caagagatgt atgcttgctg gccagaatga tggctgcaaa cttgtacatc 960 gatcagattg aagagctgat gtttgagctc tctatgtggc gctgcaacga tgagcttcgt 1020 gttcgtgccg aagagctcca cagttcgtct ggttccaaag ttaccaagta ttacatagaa 1080 ttctggaagc aaattcctcc aaacgagccc taccgggtga tactaggcca tgtaagggac 1140 aagctgtaca acacacgcga gcgtgctcgc catctgctgg cttctggagt ttctgaaatt 1200 tcagcggaat cgtcatttac cagtatcgaa gagttccttg agccacttga gctgtgctac 1260 aaatcactgt gtgactgcgg cgacaaggcc atcgcggacg ggagcctctt ggacctcctg 1320 cgccaggtgt tcacgttcgg gctctccctg gtgaagctgg acatccggca ggagtcggag 1380 cggcacaccg acgtgatcga cgccatcacc acgcacctcg gcatcgggtc gtaccgcgag 1440 tggcccgagg acaagaggca ggagtggctg ctgtcggagc tgcgaggcaa gcgcccgctg 1500 ctgcccccgg accttcccca gaccgacgag atcgccgacg tcatcggcgc gttccacgtc 1560 ctcgcggagc tcccgcccga cagcttcggc ccctacatca tctccatggc gacggccccc 1620 tcggacgtgc tcgccgtgga gctcctgcag cgcgagtgcg gcgtgcgcca gccgctgccc 1680 gtggtgccgc tgttcgagag gctggccgac ctgcagtcgg cgcccgcgtc cgtggagcgc 1740 ctcttctcgg tggactggta catggaccgg atcaagggca agcagcaggt catggtcggc 1800 tactccgact ccggcaagga cgccggccgc ctgtccgcgg cgtggcagct gtacagggcg 1860 caggaggaga tggcgcaggt ggccaagcgc tacggcgtca agctcacctt gttccacggc 1920 cgcggaggca ccgtgggcag gggtggcggg cccacgcacc ttgccatcct gtcccagccg 1980 ccggacacca tcaacgggtc catccgtgtg acggtgcagg gcgaggtcat cgagttctgc 2040 ttcggggagg agcacctgtg cttccagact ctgcagcgct tcacggccgc cacgctggag 2100 cacggcatgc acccgccggt ctctcccaag cccgagtggc gcaagctcat ggacgagatg 2160 gcggtcgtgg ccacggagga gtaccgctcc gtcgtcgtca aggaggcgcg cttcgtcgag 2220 tacttcagat cggctacacc ggagaccgag tacgggagga tgaacatcgg cagccggcca 2280 gccaagagga ggcccggcgg cggcatcacg accctgcgcg ccatcccctg gatcttctcg 2340 tggacccaga ccaggttcca cctccccgtg tggctgggag tcggcgccgc attcaagttc 2400 gccatcgaca aggacgtcag gaacttccag gtcctcaaag agatgtacaa cgagtggcca 2460 ttcttcaggg tcaccctgga cctgctggag atggttttcg ccaagggaga ccccggcatt 2520 gccggcttgt atgacgagct gcttgtggcg gaagaactca agccctttgg gaagcagctc 2580 agggacaaat acgtggagac acagcagctt ctcctccaga tcgctgggca caaggatatt 2640 cttgaaggcg atccattcct gaagcagggg ctggtgctgc gcaaccccta catcaccacc 2700 ctgaacgtgt tccaggccta cacgctgaag cggataaggg accccaactt caaggtgacg 2760 ccccagccgc cgctgtccaa ggagttcgcc gacgagaaca agcccgccgg actggtcaag 2820 ctgaacccgg cgagcgagta cccgcccggc ctggaagaca cgctcatcct caccatgaag 2880 ggcatcgccg ccggcatgca gaacactggc tag 2913 CaMV 35S catggagtca aagattcaaa tagaggacct aacagaactc gccgtaaaga ctggcgaaca 60 Represents  4 promoter gttcatacag agtctcttac gactcaatga caagaagaaa atcttcgtca acatggtgga 120 control sequence gcacgacaca cttgtctact ccaaaaatat caaagataca gtctcagaag accaaagggc 180 sequence aattgagact tttcaacaaa gggtaatatc cggaaacctc ctcggattcc attgcccagc 240 tatctgtcac tttattgtga agatagtgga aaaggaaggt ggctcctaca aatgccatca 300 ttgcgataaa ggaaaggcca tcgttgaaga tgcctctgcc gacagtggtc ccaaagatgg 360 acccccaccc acgaggagca tcgtggaaaa agaagacgtt ccaaccacgt cttcaaagca 420 agtggattga tgtgatatct ccactgacgt aagggatgac gcacaatccc actatccttc 480 gcaagaccct tcctctatat aaggaagttc atttcatttg gagagaacac gggggact   538 nos cgttcaaaca tttggcaata aagtttctta agattgaatc ctgttgccgg tcttgcgatg 60 Represents  5 (nopaline attatcatat aatttctgtt gaattacgtt aagcatgtaa taattaacat gtaatgcatg 120 tran- synthase) acgttattta tgagatgggt ttttatgatt agagtcccgc aattatacat ttaatacgcg 180 scription 3′UTR atagaaaaca aaatatagcg cgcaaactag gataaattat cgcgcgcggt gtcatctatg 240 terminator (poly- sequence Asignal) sequence hygro- ctatttcttt gccctcggac gagtgctggg gcgtcggttt ccactatcgg cgagtacttc 60 Represents  6 mycin- tacacagcca tcggtccaga cggccgcgct tctgcgggcg atttgtgtac gcccgacagt 120 hpt gene phospho- cccggctccg gatcggacga ttgcgtcgca tcgaccctgc gcccaagctg catcatcgaa 180 (hygro- trans- attgccgtca accaagctct gatagagttg gtcaagacca atgcggagca tatacgcccg 240 mycin ferase gagtcgtggc gatcctgcaa gctccggatg cctccgctcg aagtagcgcg tctgctgctc 300 phospho- catacaagcc aaccacggcc tccagaagaa gatgttggcg acctcgtatt gggaatcccc 360 trans- gaacatcgcc tcgctccagt caatgaccgc tgttatgcgg ccattgtccg tcaggacatt 420 ferase) gttggagccg aaatccgcgt gcacgaggtg ccggacttcg gggcagtcct cggcccaaag 480 for  catcagctca tcgagagcct gcgcgacgga cgcactgacg gtgtcgtcca tcacagtttg 540 hygromycin ccagtgatac acatggggat cagcaatcgc gcatatgaaa tcacgccatg tagtgtattg 600 resistance accgattcct tgcggtccga atgggccgaa cccgctcgtc tggctaagat cggccgcagc 660 gatcgcatcc atagcctccg cgaccggttg tagaacagcg ggcagttcgg tttcaggcag 720 gtcttgcaac gtgacaccct gtgcacggcg ggagatgcca taggtcaggc tctcgctaaa 780 ctccccaatg tcaagcactt ccggaatcgg gagcgcggcc gatgcaaagt gccgataaac 840 ataacgatct ttgtagaaac catcggcgca gctatttacc cgcaggacat atccacgccc 900 tcctacatcg aagctgaaag cacgagattc ttcgccctcc gagagctgca tcaggtcgga 960 gacgctgtcg aacttttcga tcagaaactt ctcgacagac gtcgcggtga gttcaggctt 1020 tttcat 1026 express- catggagtcaaagattcaaatagaggacctaacagaactcgccgtaaagactggcgaacagttcataca Represents  7 ion  gagtctcttacgactcaatgacaagaagaaaatcttcgtcaacatggtggagcacgacacacttgtctact an  cassettes ccaaaaatatcaaagatacagtctcagaagaccaaagggcaattgagacttttcaacaaagggtaatatc expression for  cggaaacctcctcggattccattgcccagctatctgtcactttattgtgaagatagtggaaaaggaaggtgg construct  AspAT,  ctcctacaaatgccatcattgcgataaaggaaaggccatcgttgaagatgcctctgccgacagtggtccca for GS and aagatggacccccacccacgaggagcatcgtggaaaaagaagacgttccaaccacgtcttcaaagcaag co-  PEPCase tggattgatgtgatatctccactgacgtaagggatgacgcacaatcccactatccttcgcaagaccct expression coding

of se- gcttctcacgacagcatctccgcttctccaacctccgcttctgattccgtcttcaatcacctcgttcgtg the genes quences, ctcccgaagatcctatcctcggggtaactgtcgcttataacaaagatccaagtccagttaagctcaacttggg AspAT, cloned  agttggtgcttaccgaactgaggaaggaaaacctcttgttttgaatgtagtgaggcgagttgaacagcaact GS and  under cataaatgacgtgtcacgcaacaaggaatatattccgatcgttgggcttgctgattttaataaattgagtgct PEPCase control  aagcttatttttggggctgacagccctgctattcaagacaacagggttaccactgttcaatgcttgtctggaac SpeI of tggttctttaagagttgggggtgaatttttggctaaacactatcaccaacggactatatacttgccaacaccaa CamV 35S cttggggcaatcacccgaaggttttcaacttagcaggcttgtctgtcaaaacataccgctactatgctccagc promoter aacacgaggacttgactttcaaggacttctggaagaccttggttctgctccatctggatctattgttttgctaca ( )  tgcatgcgcacataaccccactggtgtggatccaacccttgagcaatgggagcagattaggcagctaataag and atcaaaagctttgttacctttctttgacagtgcttatcagggttttgctagtggaagtctagatgcagatgccca Nos acctgttcgtttgtttgttgctgatggaggcgaattgctggtagcacaaagctatgcaaagaatctgggtcttt termin- atggggaacgtgttggcgccttaagcattgtctgcaagtcagctgatgttgcaagcagggttgagagccagc ator tgaagctagtgattaggcccatgtactcaagtcctcccattcatggtgcatccattgtggctgccattctcaag ( ) in gaccggaatttgttcaatgactggactattgagttgaaggcaatggctgatcgcatcatcagtatgcgccaag pCAMBIA aacttttcgatgctttatgttccagaggcacacctggcgattggagtcacattatcaaacagattggaatgttt 1302 actttcactggattgaatgcggaacaagtttccttcatgactaaagagttccatatatacatgacatctgatgg PrnII gaggattagcatggctggtctgagttccaaaactgtcccacttctggcggatgcgatacatgcagctgtaacc

ctgttgccggtcttgcgatgattatcatataatttctgttgaattacgttaagcatgtaataattaacatgtaa tgcatgacgttatttatgagatgggtttttatgattagagtcccgcaattatacatttaatacgcgatagaaa acaaaatatagcgcgcaaactaggataaattatcgcgcgcggtgtcatctatgt

gccttcagtttagctt catggagtcaaagattcaaatagaggacctaacagaactcgccgtaaagactggc gaacagttcatacagagtctcttacgactcaatgacaagaagaaaatcttcgtcaacatggtggagcacg acacacttg tctactccaaaaatatcaaagatacagtctcagaagaccaaagggcaattgagacttttcaacaaagggt aatatccggaaacctcctcggattccattgcccagctatctgtcactttattgtgaagatagtggaaaagga aggtggctcctacaaatgccatcattgcgataaaggaaaggccatcgttgaagatgcctctgccgacagtg gtcccaaagatggacccccacccacgaggagcatcgtggaaaaagaagacgttccaaccacgtcttcaaa NeaI gcaagtggattgatgtgatatctccactgacgtaagggatgacgcacaatcccactatccttcgcaagacc c

gatctcgttaatctcaatctctctgactccactcagaaaattattgctgaatacatatggattggtggatcagg aatggacgtcaggagcaaagccagaacactttctggacctgttgatgatccttcaaagcttcccaaatggaa ttatgatggttctagcacaggacaagctcctggagaagacagtgaagagatcctatatcctcaagcaattttc aaggatccattcagaaggggcaacaatatcttggtcatttgtgattgttacaccccagctggtgaacccattc caacaaacaaaaggcacagtgctgccaagattttcagccaccctgatgttgttgttgaggaaccctggtatg gtcttgagcaagaatacaccttgttgcaaaaagatatcaattggcctcttggatggcctcttggtggttttcct ggaccacagggaccatactattgcggaattggagctggaaaggtctttggacgcgatatcgttgactctcatt ataaggcatgtctctatgctgggattaacatcagtggtatcaatggagaagtgatgcccggacagtgggaat ttcaagttggaccttcagttggcatttcagcagctgatgaattgtgggcagctcgttacattcttgagaggatt actgagattgctggagttgtggtctcatttgaccccaaacctattccgggtgactggaatggtgctggagctc acacaaactacagcacaaagtctatgaggaatgaaggaggctatgaagtcattaagaaggcaattgagaa ccttggactgaggcacaaggagcatattgcagcatatggtgaaggcaacgagcgtcgtctcactggaagac BstEII acgaaacagctgacatcaacacattcaaatggggagttgcgaaccgtggtgcatctattcgtgtgggaaga gacacggagagagaagggaagggatacttcgaggataggaggcctgcttcgaatatggatccattcgtcgt

ctcgaatttccccgat cgttcaaacatttggcaataaagtttcttaagattgaatcctgttgccggtcttgcga tgattatcatataatttctgttgaattacgttaagcatgtaataattaacatgtaatgcatgacgttatttatg agatgggtttttatgattagagtcccgcaattatacatttaatacgcgatagaaaacaaaatata gcgcgcaaactaggataattatcgcgcgcggtgtcatctatgttactagatcggg aattaaactatcagt

tttcccgccttcagtttagctt catggagtcaaagattcaaatagaggacctaacagaactcgccgtaaaga ctggcgaacagttcatacagagtctcttacgactcaatgacaagaagaaaatcttcgtcaacatggtggag cacgacacacttgtctactccaaaaatatcaaagatacagtctcagaagaccaaagggcaattgagactt ttcaacaaagggtaatatccggaaacctcctcggattccattgcccagctatctgtcactttattgtgaagat agtggaaaaggaaggtggctcctacaaatgccatcattgcgataaaggaaaggccatcgttgaagatgcc tctgccgacagtggtcccaaagatggacccccacccacgaggagcatcgtggaaaaagaagacgttccaa ccacgtcttcaaagcaagtggattgatgtgatatctccactgacgtaagggatgacgcacaatcccactat ccttcgcaagacccttcctctatataaggaagttcatttcatttggagagaacacgggggact cttgacca

cgtcagctggtcccaggcaaggtctccgaggacgacaagctcatcgagtacgatgcgctgctcgtcgaccgc ttcctcaacatcctccaggacctccacgggcccagccttcgcgaatttgtccaggagtgctacgaggtctcag ccgactacgagggcaaaggagacacgacgaagctgggcgagctcggcgccaagctcacggggctggcccc cgccgacgccatcctcgtggcgagctccatcctgcacatgctcaacctcgccaacctggccgaggaggtgca gatcgcgcaccgccgccgcaacagcaagctcaagaaaggtgggttcgccgacgagggctccgccaccacc gagtccgacatcgaggagacgctcaagcgcctcgtgtccgaggtcggcaagtcccccgaggaggtgttcga ggcgctcaagaaccagaccgtcgacctcgtcttcaccgcgcatcctacgcagtccgcccgccgctcgctcctg caaaaaaatgccaggatccgaaattgtctgacccagctgaatgccaaggacatcactgacgacgacaagc aggagctcgatgaggctctgeagagagagatccaagcagccttcagaaccgatgaaatcaggagggcac aacccaccccgcaggccgaaatgcgctatgggatgagctacatccatgagactgtatggaagggtgtgcct aagttcttgcgccgtgtggatacagccctgaagaatatcggcatcaatgagcgccttccctacaatgtttctct cattcggttctcttcttggatgggtggtgaccgcgatggaaatccaagagttaccccggaggtgacaagaga tgtatgcttgctggccagaatgatggctgcaaacttgtacatcgatcagattgaagagctgatgtttgagctct ctatgtggcgctgcaacgatgagcttcgtgttcgtgccgaagagctccacagttcgtctggttccaaagttacc aagtattacatagaattctggaagcaaattcctccaaacgagccctaccgggtgatactaggccatgtaagg gacaagctgtacaacacacgcgagcgtgctcgccatctgctggcttctggagtttctgaaatttcagcggaat cgtcatttaccagtatcgaagagttccttgagccacttgagctgtgctacaaatcactgtgtgactgcggcga caaggccatcgcggacgggagcctcctggacctcctgcgccaggtgttcacgttcgggctctccctggtgaa gctggacatccggcaggagtcggagcggcacaccgacgtgatcgacgccatcaccacgcacctcggcatcg ggtcgtaccgcgagtggcccgaggacaagaggcaggagtggctgctgtcggagctgcgaggcaagcgccc gctgctgcccccggaccttccccagaccgacgagatcgccgacgtcatcggcgcgttccacgtcctcgcgga gctcccgcccgacagcttcggcccctacatcatctccatggcgacggccccctcggacgtgctcgccgtggag ctcctgcagcgcgagtgcggcgtgcgccagccgetgcccgtggtgccgctgttcgagaggctggccgacctg cagtcggcgcccgcgtccgtggagcgcctcttctcggtggactggtacatggaccggatcaagggcaagcag caggtcatggtcggctactccgactccggcaaggacgccggccgcctgtcc gcggcgtggcagctgtacagggcgcaggaggagatggcgcaggtggccaagcgctacggcgtcaagctca ccttgttccacggccgcggaggcaccgtgggcaggggtggcgggcccacgcaccttgccatcctgtcccagc cgccggacaccatcaacgggtccatccgtgtgacggtgcagggcgaggtcatcgagttctgcttcggggagg agcacctgtgcttccagactctgcagcgcttcacggccgccacgctggagcacggcatgcacccgccggtct ctcccaagcccgagtggcgcaagctcatggacgagatggcggtcgtggccacggaggagtaccgctccgtc gtcgtcaaggaggcgcgcttcgtcgagtacttcagatcggctacaccggagaccgagtacgggaggatgaa catcggcagccggccagccaagaggaggcccggcggcggcatcacgaccctgcgcgccatcccctggatct tctcgtggacccagaccaggttccacctccccgtgtggctgggagtcggcgccgcattcaagttcgccatcga caaggacgtcaggaacttccaggtcctcaaagagatgtacaacgagtggccattcttcagggtcaccctgga cctgctggagtggttttcgccaagggagaccccggcattgccggcttgtatgacgagctgcttgtggcggaa gaactcaagccctttgggaagcagctcagggacaaatacgtggagacacagcagcttctccttccagatcgct gggcacaaggatattcttgaaggcgatccattcctgaagcaggggctggtgctgcgcaacccctacatcacc accctgaacgtgttccaggcctacacgctgaagcggataagggaccccaacttcaaggtgacgccccagcc gccgctgtccaaggagttcgccgacgagaacaagcccgccggactggtcaagctgaacccgg cgagcgagtacccgcccggcctggaagacacgctcatcctcaccatgaagggcatcgccgccggcatgcag

caataaagtttcttaagattgaatcctgttgccggtcttgcgatgattatcatataatttctgttgaattacgt taagcatgtaataattaacatgtaatgcatgacgttatttatgagatgggtttttatgattagagtcccgca attatacatttaatacgcgatagaaaacaaaatatagcgcgcaaactaggataaattatcgcgcgcggtg tcatctatgttactagatcggg GS_(NcoI) F 5′-TGCCATGGCTCATCTTTCGGATCTCGTT-3′ Forward   8 primer for  amplifi-  cation  of   tobacco  GS coding sequence, including restriction site for enzyme  NcoI. GS_(BstEII )R 5′-GGGTGACCTCAAGGCTCGGATAGGATAGTG -3′ Reverse   9 primer for   amplifi-  cation  of tobacco  GS coding sequence, including restriction site  for enzyme BstEII. AspAT_(BgIII ) 5′-CATAGATCTTATGGCTTCTCACGACAGCATCT -3′ Forward  10  F primer  for  amplifi-  cation  of  Soyabean   AspAT coding sequence, including restriction site for enzyme BgIII. AspAT_(PmII ) 5′-GCCACGTGTTAGACAACTCGGGTTACAGCTG-3′ Reverse  11  R primer  for  amplifi-  cation of  Soyabean   AspAT coding sequence,  including restriction site for enzyme PmII. PEP-  5′-ATAGATCTTATGGCGTCGACCAAGGCTCCG -3′ Forward  12  Case_(BgIII) primer F for   amplifi- cation  of maize    PEPCase coding  sequence, including restriction site for enzyme BgIII. PEP-  5′-AGACTAGTGCCAGTGTTCTGCATGCCGGCGG3′ Reverse  13  Case_(SpeI) primer  R for  amplifi-  cation  of maize  PEPCase coding sequence, including restriction site for  enzyme  SpeI. 35S_(SpeI )F 5′-GGACTAGTAATGGCGAATGCTAGAGCAGCTTGAG -3′ Forward  14  primer for   amplifi- cation of  CaMV 35S    promoter  sequence, including restriction site for enzyme SpeI. NosT_(AscI,)  5′-GCCACGTGTCCTCAGCTGGCGCGCCCGCCAATATATCCTGTCAAACACTGATAGT-3′ Reverse  15  _(BbvCI,PmII )R primer  for  amplifi- cation of Nos  terminator  sequence,    including restriction site for enzyme  AscI, BbvCI PmII NosT_(SpeI )R 5′-GGACTAGTTTAATTCCCGATC TAGTAACA TAGATG-3′ Reverse  16  primer  for  amplifi-  cation   of Nos  terminator sequence, including restriction site for enzyme SpeI. 35G_(AscI )F 5′-ATCFGGCGCGCCAATGGCGAATGCTAGAGCAGCTTGAG -3′ Forward  17  primer  for amplifi- cation of  CaMV 35S   promoter sequence, including restriction site  for enzyme  AscI. PEP- 5′-GTGCCTCAGCCTAGCCAGTGTTCTGCATGCCGG -3′ Reverse  18  Case_(BbvCI) primer R for  amplifi-  cation  of maize  PEPCase   coding sequence, including restriction site for enzyme BbvCI. hpt F 5′-GAGGGCGAAGAATCTCGTGC -3′ Forward  19  primer for   amplifi- cation of  hygromycin  phospho- trans- ferase for screening transgenic plants. hpt R 5′-GATECTGGCGACCTCGTATTGG -3′ Reverse  20  primer  for  amplifi-  cation of  hygromycin  phospho- trans- ferase for screening transgenic plants. PEPCase  5′-ACGTCAGGAACTTCCAGGTIC-3′ Forward  21  Exp F primer   for  maize  PEPCase,  used for RT-PCR  based evaluation of PEPCase transgene expression. PEPCase  5′-CTTGTTCTCGTCGGCGAAC-3′ Reverse  22  Exp R primer   for   maize  PEPCase,  used for RT-PCR based evaluation of PEPCase transgene expression. GS Exp  5′-ACTTTCTGGACCTGTTGAT-3′ Forward  23  F primer  for tobacco  GS, used for RT-PCR  based evaluation of GS transgene expression. GS Exp  5′-GGCAGCACTGTGCCTT-3′ Reverse  24  R primer   for tobacco GS, used for RT-PCR based evaluation  of GS transgene  expression. AspAT  5′-ATGGCTTCTCACGACAGCATC-3′ Forward  25  Exp F primer   for  soyabean AspAT, used for RT-PCR based evaluation  of GS transgene expression. AspAT  5′-TTGCGTGACACGTCATTTATGAGT-3′ Reverse  26  Exp R primer  for  soyabean  AspAT, used for RT-PCR based  evaluation of GS  transgene expression. 26S F 5′-CACAATGATAGGAAGAGCCGAC-3′ Forward  27  primer   for 26SrRNA,  used as internal control for RT-PCR  based evaluation  of transgene expression. 26S R 5′-CAAGGGAACGGGCTTGGCAGAATC-3′ Reverse  28  primer  for   26SrRNA,   used as internal control for RT-PCR based evaluation  of transgene expression AspAT  MASHDSISASPTSASDSVFNHLVRAPEDPILGVTVAYNKDPSPVKLNLGVGAYRTEEG Represents 29  Pr KPLVLNVVRRVE Proteins QQLINDVSRNKEYIPIVGLADFNKLSAKLIFGADSPAIQDNRVTTVQCLSGTGSLRVGG of AspAT  EFLAKHYHQRT genes IYLPTPTWGNHPKVFNLAGLSVKTYRYYAPATRGLDFQGLLEDLGSAPSGSIVLLHACA HNPTGVDPTLE QWEQIRQLIRSKALLPFFDSAYQGFASGSLDADAQPVRLFVADGGELLVAQSYAKNLG LYGERVGALSIV CKSADVASRVESQLKLVIRPMYSSPPIHGASIVAAILKDRNLFNDWTIELKAMADRIISM RQELFDALCS RGTPGDWSHIIKQIGMFTFTGLNAEQVSFMTKEFHIYMTSDGRISMAGLSSKTVPLLA DAIHAAVTRVV GSPr MAHLSDLVNLNLSDSTQKIIAEYIWIGGSGMDVRSKARTLSGPVDDPSKLPKWNYDG Represents 30  SSTGQAPGEDSEE Proteins ILYPQAIFKDPFRRGNNILVICDCYTPAGEPIPTNKRHSAAKIFSHPDVVVEEPWYGLEQ of GS  EYTLLQKDIN genes WPLGWPLGGFPGPQGPYYCGIGAGKVFGRDIVDSHYKACLYAGINISGINGEVMPGQ WEFQVGPSVGISA ADELWAARYILERITEIAGVVVSFDPKPIPGDWNGAGAHTNYSTKSMRNEGGYEVIKK AIENLGLRHKEH IAAYGEGNERRLTGRHETADINTFKWGVANRGASIRVGRDTEREGKGYFEDRRPASN MDPFVVTSMIAET TILSEP PEPCase MASTKAPGPGEKHHSIDAQLRQLVPGKVSEDDKLIEYDALLVDRFLNILQDLHGPSLRE Represents 31  Pr FVQECYEVSAD Proteins YEGKGDTTKLGELGAKLTGLAPADAILVASSILHMLNLANLAEEVQIAHRRRNSKLKKG of PEPCase  GFADEGSATTE genes SDIEETLKRLVSEVGKSPEEVFEALKNQTVDLVFTAHPTQSARRSLLQKNARIRNCLTQL NAKDITDDDK QELDEALQREIQAAFRTDEIRRAQPTPQAEMRYGMSYIHETVWKGVPKFLRRVDTAL KNIGINERLPYNV SLIRFSSWMGGDRDGNPRVTPEVTRDVCLLARMMAANLYIDQIEELMFELSMWRCN DELRVRAEELHSSS GSKVTKYYIEFWKQIPPNEPYRVILGHVRDKLYNTRERARHLLASGVSEISAESSFTSIEE FLEPLELCY KSLCDCGDKAIADGSLLDLLRQVFTFGLSLVKLDIRQESERHTDVIDAITTHLGIGSYRE WPEDKRQEWL LSELRGKRPLLPPDLPQTDEIADVIGAFHVLAELPPDSFGPYIISMATAPSDVLAVELLQR ECGVRQPLP VVPLFERLADLQSAPASVERLFSVDWYMDRIKGKQQVMVGYSDSGKDAGRLSAAW QLYRAQEEMAQVAKR YGVKLTLFHGRGGTVGRGGGPTHLAILSQPPDTINGSIRVTVQGEVIEFCFGEEHLCFQ TLQRFTAATLE HGMHPPVSPKPEWRKLMDEMAVVATEEYRSVVVKEARFVEYFRSATPETEYGRMNI GSRPAKRRPGGGIT TLRAIPWIFSWTQTRFHLPVWLGVGAAFKFAIDKDVRNFQVLKEMYNEWPFFRVTLD LLEMVFAKGDPGI AGLYDELLVAEELKPFGKQLRDKYVETQQLLLQIAGHKDILEGDPFLKQGLVLRNPYITT LNVFQAYTLK RIRDPNFKVTPQPPLSKEFADENKPAGLVKLNPASEYPPGLEDTLILTMKGIAAGMQN TG

Example 1 Amplification and Cloning of AspAT Gene

Nucleotide sequence encoding soybean cytosolic AspAT gene (SEQ ID NO: 1) was obtained from the NCBI database of nucleotide sequences (GenBank Accession No. AF034210.1; RNA from soybean plant was isolated using IRIS Plant RNA Kit (Ghawana et al., US Patent no 0344NF2004/IN). cDNA was synthesized using total RNA preparations (2 μg) in the presence of 1 μg oligo(dT)₁₂₋₁₈ and 400 U of reverse transcriptase Superscript II (Invitrogen) after digesting with 2 U DNase I (amplification grade, Invitrogen, USA) following the manufacturer's instructions. The full coding region of AspAT was then amplified from soybean cDNA using primers AspAT_(BglII)F (SEQ ID NO: 10) and AspAT_(Pmfl) R (SEQ ID NO: 11) such that restriction sites BglII (AGATCT) and PmlI (CACGTG) is incorporated in the coding sequence for AspAT. Qiagen High Fidelity Taq polymerase enzyme was used for the PCR using the following conditions: initial denaturating at 94° C. for 3 minutes, 30 cycles of 94° C. for 30 seconds, annealing at 59° C. for 30 seconds, extension at 72° C. for 1 minute 20 seconds, with a final extension of 72° C. for 7 minutes. The amplification product was cloned in to pGEM®-T Easy Vector (cloning vector, Promega, USA). Plasmid from the positive clones and pCAMBIA 1302 plasmid were digested with BglII and PmlI and digested products isolated from an agarose gel electrophoresis were ligated and transformed in to E. coli DH5α cells which were obtained from Takara Bio Company, Japan (Cat. No. 9057). Plasmid from the positive colonies were sequenced to verify the in frame cloning of the AspAT coding sequence placed between CaMV 35S promoter (SEQ ID NO: 4) and Nos terminator (SEQ ID NO: 5) of pCAMBIA1302 and resulting vector was designated as AspAT::pCAMBIA1302.

Example 2 Amplification and Cloning of GS Gene

Nucleotide sequence encoding tobacco cytosolic GS gene (SEQ ID NO: 2) was obtained from the NCBI database of nucleotide sequences (GenBank Accession No. X95932.1. RNA from tobacco plant was isolated using iRIS Plant RNA Kit (Ghawana et al., US Patent no 0344NF2004/IN). cDNA was synthesized using total RNA preparations (2 μg) in the presence of 1 μg oligo(dT)₁₂₋₁₈ and 400 U of reverse transcriptase Superscript II (Invitrogen) after digesting with 2 U DNase I (amplification grade, Invitrogen, USA) following the manufacturer's instructions.

The full coding region of GS was amplified from tobacco cDNA using primers GS_(NcoI) F with restriction sites NcoI (CCATGG) (SEQ ID NO: 8) and GS_(BstEII) R with restriction sites for BstEII (GGTGACC) (SEQ ID NO: 9). GS_(NcoI) F primers was modified so as to eliminate the BglII site by replacement of ‘A’ nucleotide by ‘G’ at position 15.

Qiagen High Fidelity Taq polymerase enzyme was used for the PCR using the following conditions: initial denaturating at 94° C. for 3 minutes, 30 cycles of 94° C. for 30 seconds, annealing at 59° C. for 30 seconds, extension at 72° C. for 1 minute 10 seconds, with a final extension of 72° C. for 7 minutes. The amplification product was cloned in to pGEM®-T Easy Vector (cloning vector, Promega, USA). Plasmids from the positive colonies and binary vector pCAMBIA 1302 were digested with NcoI and BstEII and digested product isolated from an agarose gel electrophoresis were ligated such that GS is placed downstream of CaMV 35S promoter of pCAMBIA vector. The ligation product was transformed in to E. coli DH5α cells and transformants were sequenced to verify the in frame cloning of the GS coding sequence and the resulting vector was designated as GS::pCAMBIA1302.

Example 3 Amplification and Cloning of Maize PEPCase Gene

Nucleotide sequence encoding maize PEPCase gene (SEQ ID NO: 3) was obtained from the NCBI database of nucleotide sequences (NCBI Reference Sequence: NM_001111948.1. RNA from maize plant was isolated using iRIS Plant RNA Kit (Ghawana et al., US Patent no 0344NF2004/IN). cDNA was synthesized using total RNA preparations (2 μg) in the presence of 1 μg oligo(dT)₁₂₋₁₈ and 400 U of reverse transcriptase Superscript II (Invitrogen) after digesting with 2 U DNase I (amplification grade, Invitrogen, USA) following the manufacturer's instructions.

The full coding region of PEPCase was amplified from maize cDNA using primers PEPCase_(BglII) F with restriction sites for BglII (AGATCT) (SEQ ID NO: 12) and PEPCase_(SpeI) R with restricition sites for SpeI (ACTAGT) (SEQ ID NO: 13). Qiagen High Fidelity Taq polymerase enzyme supplemented with Q-solution (facilitating amplification of GC-rich templates) was used for PCR using the following conditions: initial denaturating at 94° C. for 3 minutes, 32 cycles of 94° C. for 30 seconds, annealing at 58° C. for 30 seconds, extension at 72° C. for 3 minute, with a final extension of 72° C. for 7 minutes. The amplification product was cloned in to pGEM®-T Easy Vector (cloning vector, Promega, USA). Plasmid from the positive clones and pCAMBIA 1302 plasmids were digested with BglII and SpeI and digested product isolated from an agarose gel electrophoresis were ligated and then transformed in to E. coli DH5α cells. Transformants were sequenced to verify the in frame cloning of the PEPCase coding sequence and resulting vector was designated as PEPCase::pCAMBIA 1302.

Example 4 Assembly of Expression Cassettes for AspAT, GS and PEPCase in Single pCAMBIA 1302 Vector (Generous Gift from “Centre for Application of Molecular Biology to International Agriculture”, Australia)

A stepwise method for amplification and integration of expression cassettes each for AspAT, GS and PEPCase in to single plant transformation vector pCAMBIA 1302 is described as follows:

GS expression cassette comprising CaMV35S promoter, downstream cloned GS and nopaline synthase (hereinafter, referred as “Nos”) terminator was amplified from GS:: pCAMBIA 1302 vector

(Example 2), using primers 35_(SpeI) F (SEQ ID NO: 14) and NosT_(AscI, BbvCI, PmlI) R (SEQ ID NO: 15). The primers were designed to incorporate the SpeI (ACTAGT) in the forward primer and AscI (GGCGCGCC), BbvCI (CCTCAGC) and PmlI (CACGTG) in reverse primer to facilitate the subcloning of GS expression cassette in to SpeI and PmlI sites of pCAMBIA 1302 vector as well as to create the additional restriction sites (AscI, BbvCI) at 3′ end in the vector backbone. Qiagen High Fidelity Taq polymerase enzyme was used for the PCR using the following conditions: initial denaturating at 94° C. for 3 minutes, 30 cycles of 94° C. for 30 seconds, annealing at 59° C. for 30 seconds, extension at 72° C. for 2 minutes, with a final extension of 72° C. for 7 minutes. The amplification product was cloned in to p®GEM-T Easy Vector (cloning vector, Promega, USA). Plasmids from the positive clones was digested with SpeI and PmlI, and the digested product was then isolated from an agarose gel electrophoresis and ligated in to SpeI and PmlI sites of pCAMBIA 1302 vector. The ligation product was transformed in to E. coli DH5α cells and transformants were verified by sequencing of plasmid.

AspAT coding sequence along with 3′Nos terminator sequence was amplified from AspAT:: pCAMBIA 1302 vector (Example 1) using primers AspAT_(BglII) F (SEQ ID NO: 10) and NosT_(SpeI) (SEQ ID NO: 16) with restriction sites for BglII (AGATCT) and SpeI (ACTAGT) respectively.

Qiagen High Fidelity Taq polymerase enzyme was used for the PCR using the following conditions: initial denaturation at 94° C. for 3 minutes, 30 cycles of 94° C. for 30 seconds, annealing at 59° C. for 30 seconds, extension at 72° C. for 2 minutes, with a final extension of 72° C. for 7 minutes. The amplification product was cloned in to pGEM®-T Easy Vector (cloning vector, Promega, USA). Plasmids from the positive clones upon digestion with BglII and SpeI, cloned downstream of CaMV 35S promoter of destination pCAMBIA 1302 (previously cloned with GS expression cassette). The ligation product was then transformed in to E. coli DH5α cells and transformants were sequenced to verify the in frame cloning of the AspAT coding sequence.

CaMV 35S promoter along with the downstream cloned PEPCase gene from PEPCase:: pCAMBIA 1302 vector (example 3) was amplified with the primers 35S_(AscI) F (SEQ ID NO: 17) having restriction site for AscI (GGCGCGCC) and PEPCase_(BBvCI) R (SEQ ID NO: 18) having restriction site for BbVCI (CCTCAGC).

Qiagen High Fidelity Taq polymerase enzyme was used for the PCR using the following conditions: initial denaturation at 94° C. for 3 minutes, 30 cycles of 94° C. for 30 seconds, annealing at 60° C. for 30 seconds, extension at 72° C. for 4 minutes, with a final extension of 72° C. for 7 minutes. The amplification product was cloned in to pGEM®-T Easy Vector (cloning vector, Promega, USA), plasmid from the positive clones was digested with AscI (GGCGCGCC) and BbVCI (CCTCAGC) and digested product isolated from an agarose gel electrophoresis ligated upstream of Nos terminator sequence of destination pCAMBIA 1302 previously cloned with GS and AspAT expression cassettes. The ligation product was transformed in to E. coli DH5α cells and transformants sequenced to verify the in frame cloning of the PEPCase coding sequence. Resultant plant expression vector was designated as AspAT+GS+PEPCase for co-overexpression of AspAT, GS and PEPcase. A hygromycin resistance gene (SEQ ID NO. 6) was included as a selectable marker for screening transgenic plants. Schematic diagram of expression construct is shown in FIG. 1, represented by SEQ ID NO. 7 for plant transformation such that the transgenic plant produces higher amount of proteins represented by SED ID NO. 29, 30, and 31.

Example 5 Raising of Transgenic Arabidopsis Plants Co-Over Expressing Genes AspAT, GS and PEPCase

Generation of Plant Expression Vector (AspAT+GS+PEPCase)

Briefly, the plant expression vector was constructed as follows: cDNA sequences encoding soybean AspAT gene (SEQ ID NO: 1), tobacco cytosolic GS gene (SEQ ID NO: 2) and maize PEPCase gene (SEQ ID NO: 3), were first independently cloned in to pCAMBIA 1302 vector. The elements for expression cassette for AspAT, GS and PEPCase were then amplified and assembled in to destination pCAMBIA1302 such that genes AspAT, GS and PEPCase were controlled by independent CaMV 35S promoter and Nos transcriptional terminator.

Agrobacterium Mediated Plant Transformation:

AspAT+GS+PEPCase were transferred to Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain GV3101 with ATCC number Agrobacterium tumefaciens (GV3101 (pMP90RK) (C58 derivative) ATCC® Number: 33970 Reference: Hayashi H, Czaja I, Lubenow H, Schell J, Walden R. 1992 using standard triparental mating method.

Briefly, E. coli DH5α cells harboring the recombinant construct AspAT+GS+PEPCase and those harboring helper plasmid pRK2013 were cultured overnight at 37° C. Agrobacterium strain GV3101 grown at 28° C. for 48 hrs. All the three cultures were then pelleted, washed, and mixed, followed by plating on YEM (Yeast Extract Mannitol) plates supplemented with the antibiotics kanamycin (50 ug/ml) and rifampcin (50 ug/ml). Antibiotic resistant colonies were verified by colony PCR to assure the transformation of Agrobacterium with the recombinant construct AspAT+GS+PEPCase.

Arabidopsis Seeds of the Columbia Ecotype were Generous Gift by Dr. Christine H Foyer Of, IACR-Rothamsted, Harpenden, UK

Arabidopsis plants were transformed with Agrobacteria harboring AspAT+GS+PEPCase using vacuum infiltration method. Briefly, liquid 5-ml cultures were established from single transformed Agrobacterium colony and grown in YEM medium supplemented with 50 ug/ml kanamycin, 50 ug/ml rifampicin at 28° C. up to the late logarithmic phase. Next, 1 ml of bacterial suspension was diluted with 100 ml of YEB culture medium supplemented with the same antibiotics. The culture was grown overnight until their optical density reached 1.2-1.8 at 600 nm. The bacteria were spinned for 20 min at 2000 g at room temperature and suspended in a solution for infiltration containing half strength MS (Murashige and Skoog) medium with 2% sucrose, 0.05% MES (Sigma,) and 0.01% of Silwet L-77 (Lehle Seeds, United States). Arabidopsis inflorescences were dipped in bacterial suspension and infiltrated under vacuum for 10 minutes. Plants were then transferred to growth chamber and grown under controlled long day conditions (16-h light at 22-23° C. and 8-h darkness at 20° C.) for seed set.

Selection of Primary Transformant T_(o) Transgenic Arabidopsis Plant:

Seeds from transformed plants were surface sterilized by immersion in 70% (v/v) ethanol for 2 min, followed by immersion in 10% (v/v) sodium hypochlorite solution. Seeds were then washed four times with sterile distilled water and sown onto 1% agar containing MS medium supplemented with hygromycin B at a concentration of 20 μml⁻¹ (Sigma # H3274). Seeds were then stratified for 2 days in the dark at 4° C. After stratification plates were transferred to a growth chamber with 16 h light and 8 h dark cycle for germination. After 14-days, hygromycin resistant seedlings were selected as putative primary transformants (T₀) and transferred to pots containing vermiculite, perlite and cocopeat mix (1:1:1) and grown to maturity under controlled condition of light, temperature and humidity for growth and seed set.

Raising T1 and T₂ Generation AspAT+GS+PEPCase Transgenic Plants:

Seeds harvested from T₀ transgenic plants were germinated on MS+hygromycin B (at a concentration of 20 μml⁻¹) plates and transgenic lines exhibiting a segregation ratio of 3:1 (scored by their sensitivity to hygromycin B) were selected to raise T1 generation of transgenic plants. Homozygous transgenic plants were obtained in the T₂ generation and evaluated for different physiological and biochemical parameters in comparison to wild control plants.

Example 6 Analysis of the Genomic DNA from Arabidopsis thaliana Plants Transformed with AspAT+CS+PEPCase

Arabidopsis plants from two independent transgenic lines transformed with AspAT+GS+PEPCase were selected to verify the insertion of transgenes in to plant genome. The genomic DNA was isolated using DNeasy Plant mini kit (QIAGEN Co.). PCR was carried out by using the isolated DNA as template with primers hpt F (SEQ ID NO: 19) and hpt R (SEQ ID NO: 20) annealing to the hygromycin phosphtransferaes (hpt) gene (SEQ ID NO: 6) (plant selection marker from pCAMBIA 1302 vector).

PCR cycling conditions defined by initial denaturation at 94° C. for 3 minutes, 28 cycles of 94° C. for 30 seconds, annealing at 58° C. for 30 seconds, extension at 72° C. for 1 minute, with a final extension of 72° C. for 7 minutes.

The result is shown in FIG. 2A, in which WT represents the wild and L1 and L2 represent two different transgenic lines. The amplification of hpt gene was observed only with transgenic confirming insertion of AspAT+GS+PEPCase in to Arabidopsis plants.

Example 7 Evaluation of AspAT+GS+PEPCase Transgenics by Reverse Transcriptase—Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)

RNA analysis of transformants was done to confirm the expression of AspAT, GS and PEPCase. Total RNA was isolated from leaf and root of transgenic plants using iRIS Plant RNA Kit (Ghawana et al., US Patent no 0344NF2004/IN). cDNA was synthesized using total RNA preparations (2 μg) in the presence of 1 μg oligo(dT)₁₂₋₁₈ and 400 U of reverse transcriptase Superscript II (Invitrogen) after digesting with 2 U DNase I (amplification grade, Invitrogen, USA) following the manufacturer's instructions). Expression of transgenes was evaluated using gene specific primer for AspAT, GS and PEPCase, designated as PEPCase Exp F (SEQ ID NO: 21), PEPCase Exp R (SEQ ID NO: 22), GS Exp F (SEQ ID NO: 23), GS Exp R (SEQ ID NO: 24), AspAT Exp F (SEQ ID NO: 25) and AspAT ExpR (SEQ ID NO: 26). As a positive control for RT-PCR, 26S rRNA was amplified using primers 26S F (SEQ ID NO: 27) and 26S R (SEQ ID NO: 28).

The results of analyses are shown in FIG. 2B, in which WT represents wild and L1 and L2 represent two transgenic lines. The amplification of RT-PCR products were observed only in trangenics confirming the expression of introduced genes.

Example 8 Enzymatic Assays from Wild Type and AspAT+GS+PEPCase Transgenic Arabidopsis Plants

Enzymatic assays were performed with AspAT+GS+PEPCase transgenic and wild plants as follows:

PEPCase Activity Measurement: Frozen leaf samples (200 mg) ground with a mortar and pestle in 1 ml of extraction buffer containing 50 mM Tris-Cl buffer (pH 7.5), 1.0 mM MgCl2, 5.0 mM DTT, 1.0 mM PMSF, 2% (w/v) PVPP, 10% (v/v) glycerol and 0.1% (v/v) Triton X-100. The extract was centrifuged at 12,000 g for 10 min at 4° C. and the supernatant was used for the determination of enzyme activity. PEPCase was assayed spectrophotometrically at 340 nm in the presence of excess MDH and lactate dehydrogenase (Ashton et al. 1990). The reaction mixture contained 50 mM Tris-Cl (pH 8.0), 5 mM MgCl2, 5 mM DTT, 1 mM NaHCO₃, 5 mM glucose-6-phosphate, 0.2 mM NADH, 2 units MDH, 0.1 units lactate dehydrogenase and crude extract. The reaction was initiated by the addition of 5 mM PEP.

AspAT Activity Measurement: Extraction buffer for AspAT consisted of 200 mM Tris-Cl buffer (pH 7.5), 2.0 mM EDTA and 20% glycerol.

The enzyme was assayed in an MDH-coupled reaction essentially as described by Ireland and Joy (1990). Briefly the reaction mixture contained 10 mM 2-oxoglutarate, 2 mM aspartate, 0.2 mM NADH, and 50 mM HEPES buffer (pH 8.0). Reaction was started by addition of 2-oxoglutarate. Assay control was run by excluding the 2-oxoglutarate from the reaction mix.

GS Activity Measurement:

GS (glutamine synthetase) was extracted in the grinding medium containing 50 mM Tris-Cl buffer (pH 7.8), 1 mM EDTA, 10 mM MgSO₄, 5 mM sodium glutamate, 10% (v/v) glycerol and insoluble PVPP (2% w/v). Enzyme assay was performed as described earlier by Lea et al. (1990) and the activity was calculated from the standard curve prepared with γ-glutamylhydroxamate.

The results of the analyses are shown in the FIG. 5A to 5C, an increase of about 45 to 50% in PEPCase activity, 55% in GS activity and 55 to 60% in AspAT activity was observed with two independent AspAT+GS+PEPCase transgenic plants compared to wild plants.

Example 9

C and N Analyses in Wild and AspAT+GS+PEPCase Transgenic Arabidopsis Plants

Seeds of AspAT+GS+PEPCase transformed Arabiopdsis thaliana plants and wild control plants were germinated on half strength MS plates supplemented with 20 g/l sucrose. 14 days-old seedlings were transferred to pots containing mix of vermiculite; perlite and coco peat in the ratio of 1:1:1 and grown under long-day conditions comprising 16 hours of light period at 22° C. and 8 hours of dark period at 20° C. maintained in the Arabidopsis growth chamber. Different plant parts including rosette leaf; stem, cauline leaf and green pods were harvested from 65-days old plants and dried at 80° C. for 48 hrs. The quantitative determination of the C and N elements was conducted with Elementar CHNS analyzer using sulfanilamide as standard. The results are shown in FIG. 6. The elementary analysis showed that the total C and N content in AspAT+GS+PEPCase transgenic plant leaves has significantly increased by co-overexpression of AspAT, GS and PEPCase compared to wild plants.

Example 10 Investigation of Growth and Yield in Wild and AspAT+GS+PEPCase Transgenic Plants

Wild and AspAT+GS+PEPCase transgenic plants were analyzed for different growth characteristics. Shoot, root fresh and dry weight was recorded for 60-days old plants. Across different parameters evaluated, AspAT+GS+PEPCase plants showed enhanced growth characteristics. In particular, the transgenic plants have more number of leaves per rosette having larger area. Transgenic plants exhibited about 70% increase in the shoot fresh weight with 60% increase in the shoot dry weight whereas the increase of about 40% and 30% was observed in the root fresh and dry weight respectively (shown in FIG. 3).

Total number of pods from 72-days old AspAT+GS+PEPCase transgenic plants was calculated and compared to untransformed wild plants (shown in FIG. 7 a). Furthermore total seed yield (total seed weight per plant) was also measured for transgenic and control plants. Across both the parameters, AspAT+GS+PEPCase transgenic Arabidopsis plant showed increase in yield compared to wild plants as shown in FIG. 7 b.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

-   -   1. There have been efforts to enhance carbon and nitrogen status         of plants, a step towards food security.     -   2. The present invention provides an innovative approach wherein         overexpression of PEPCase provides a carbon skeleton to capture         nitrogen assimilated through over expression of AspAT and GS.     -   3. The improved capacity of plant for carbon and nitrogen         capture was also reflected in improved plant productivity both         in terms of plant seed and plant biomass production. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. An expression construct set forth in SEQ ID NO. 7 that encodes and co-overexpresses a set limited to three heterologous plant enzymes, the enzymes consisting of a soybean aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT) according to amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:29, a tobacco cytosolic glutamine synthetase (GS) according to amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:30, and a maize phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCase) according to amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:31 when transformed into a plant to form a transgenic plant, the overexpression of the three heterologous enzymes resulting in enhanced biomass and increased seed and/or pod yield in the transgenic plant as compared to a wildtype or untransformed plant.
 2. A transgenic plant comprising the expression construct as claimed in claim
 1. 3. A process for enhancing the number of seed pods and/or seed yield in a plant, wherein the process comprises the steps of: a) transforming an Agrobacterium tumefacians strain with the expression construct as claimed in claim 1; b) transforming explants with the recombinant Agrobacterium tumefacians strain as obtained in step (a); and c) selecting the transformed explants of step (b) to obtain the desired transformed plants having an enhanced number of seed pods and/or seed yield in a plant as compared to a wild type plant.
 4. A process as claimed in claim 3, wherein the explants are selected from the group comprising of Arabidopsis, tomato, potato, tobacco, maize, wheat, rice, cotton, mustard, pigeon pea, cowpea, pea, sugarcane, soyabean and sorghum.
 5. An expression construct, as claimed in claim 1, for co-overexpression of three heterologous plant enzymes in a plant, the construct comprising: from 5′ to 3′, a nucleic acid encoding a constitutive promoter linked to a nucleic acid encoding a soybean asparate aminotransferase (AspAT) linked to a nucleic acid encoding a terminator; from 5′ to 3′, a nucleic acid encoding a constitutive promotor linked to a nucleic acid encoding a tobacco cytosolic glutamine synthetase (GS) linked to a nucleic acid encoding a terminator; and from 5′ to 3′, a nucleic acid encoding a constitutive promotor linked to a nucleic acid encoding a maize phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCase) linked to a nucleic acid encoding a terminator; wherein, the AspAT, GS and PEPCase are the only plant enzymes encoded by the expression construct, and wherein, when introduced into a plant cell, the expression construct provides for co-overexpression of the AspAT, GS, and PEPCase and results in enhanced biomass and yield compared to wild-type plants.
 6. A plant comprising the expression construct as claimed in claim
 5. 7. A process for enhancing the number of seed pods and/or seed yield in a plant, wherein the process comprises the steps of: a) transforming explants with a recombinant Agrobacterium tumefacians strain transformed with the expression construct of claim 5; and b) selecting the transformed explants of step (a) to obtain transformed plants having an enhanced number of seed pods and/or seed yield in a plant as compared to a wild type plant. 